Snow thrower auger with replaceable paddle

ABSTRACT

A snow thrower auger having a cylindrical base portion and having auger flights extending radially outwardly from the base portion. A paddle is replaceably secured to the auger, and it functions with the flights to throw the snow away from the auger. The paddle is a piece separate from the remainder of the auger and can be replaced if the paddle is damaged.

United States Patent Inventor Sherman C. Heth Racine, Wis. App]. No. 856,693 Filed Sept. 10, 1969 Patented Sept. 7, 1971 Assignee Jacobsen Manufacturing Company Racine, Wis.

SNOW THROWER AUGER WITH REPLACEABLE PADDLE 1 1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

0.5. CI 37143 E, 317/24, 198/213 Int. Cl E01h 5/00 Field of Search 37/43 E, 43

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,086,304 4/1963 Tendresse .1 37/43 E 3,452,460 7/1969 Cope et a1 37/43 D FOREIGN PATENTS 221,135 5/1962 Austria..... 37/43 D 627,517 9/1961 Canada 37/43 D Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lane Attorney-Arthur J. Hansmann ABSTRACT: A snow thrower auger having a cylindrical base portion and having auger flights extending radially outwardly from the base portion. A paddle is replaceably secured to the auger, and it functions with the flights to throw the snow away from the auger. The paddle is a piece separate from the remainder of the auger and can be replaced if the paddle is damaged.

PATENTED SEP 7 WI INVEN TOR SHERMAN C. HE TH wu yf SNOW THROWER AUGER WITH REPLACEABLE PADDLE This invention relates to a snow thrower auger with a replaceable paddle. The auger of this invention includes a cylindrical base portion with radially extending auger flights for moving the snow to a discharge location, and a replaceable paddle is releasably secured to the auger at the discharge location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Snow thrower augers commonly have flights extending outwardly from the auger base portion, and the flights commonly extend into and merge with an impeller or paddle which engages the snow and throws it away from the auger. Auger-type snow throwers are commonly subjected to hard objects, such as rocks, ice, or even concrete, or the like, steps and curbs. This is particularly true with augers of a lightweight and plastic material which permits the complete snow thrower to be lifted or otherwise maneuvered to where it can hit a step or curb or like structure. In that event, the auger flights commonly move the entire snow thrower to one side or the other, without significant damage to the flights. However, the auger impeller or paddle is disposed longitudinally of the auger and is therefore exposed to the hard object in a manner to cause damage to the impeller or paddle. Commonly the impeller or paddle can be bent or completely broken off the auger. Where the impeller is an integral part of the flights or or the auger base cylinder, then when the impeller is broken, the entire auger must be repaired or even replaced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a snow thrower auger which has a replaceable impeller or paddle such that when the impeller or paddle is broken, it can readily and easily be removed and replaced by a new one.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snow thrower auger with a paddle which is of a strength greater than that of other types of paddles, and the paddles being like that which might otherwise be readily and easily formed on the auger. Still further, it is an object to provide an auger impeller or paddle which is somewhat resilient for absorbing shock caused by impact with a hard object, and the impeller or paddle can recover, at least substantially, its original shape and position.

Still a further object is to provide a snow thrower auger which is completely enclosed but which has provision for readily and easily replacing the impeller or paddle on the auger base portion.

Still a further object is to provide a snow thrower auger which has a base portion formed in two semicircular halves mated together and with a replaceable paddle extending over the parting plane between the two halves to assist in retaining the halves together.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, and with parts shown broken away.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an underneath plan view of the paddle shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows the auger which includes the cylindrical base portion generally designated and which consists of two semicircular halves l1 and 12 joined together by the shown rivets 13. The two halves l1 and 12 are identical and are joined at the parting plane or juncture plane designated 14 in FIG. 2. The halves 11 and 12 therefore present a hollow cylindrical base portion 16 which along with the end pieces 17 and 18, suitably affixed to extend over the opposite ends of the base portion 16, completely enclose the auger base portion 16 which is the main and central portion of the auger. The end pieces 17 and 18 support bearings 19 and 21, with these bearings in turn supported on shaft 22 extending axially of and through the length of the base portion 16 for rotatably mounting the auger 10. Further a sprocket 23 is shown on one end of the auger, and this sprocket may be suitably driven for rotating the auger in the forward direction, which direction of rotation causes the upper portion of the auger in FIG. 1 to move downwardly across the auger as it is viewed in FIG. 1.

Auger flights 24, 26, 27, and 28 extend integrally from and radially beyond the base portion 16 and are spiraled thereon, as shown with flights 24 and 26. These flights each extends around one-half the circumference of the base portion 16, as shown, and they of course serve to move the snow to the center of the length of the auger base portion 16, and this center is designated 29 and is termed the discharge location of the auger. The four flights described terminate in a spacedapart relationship at the center discharge portion 29, such as shown by the flight ends 31 and 32 of flights 24 and 26, respectively.

Another showing and description of a snow thrower auger of this type, except for the particular auger flights just described, is found in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 721,981, filed Apr. l7, 1968, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,484,963 issued Dec. 23, 1969.

FIG. 1 shows that there are two paddle-type impellers 33 and 34 diametrically oppositely mounted on the auger base portion 16. These paddles 33 and 34 occupy the space between the ends 31 and 32 of the respective auger flights. Therefore, snow will be moved axially of the base portion 16, from the opposite ends thereof and to the central discharge portion 29. At that point, the snow will be engaged by the paddles 33 and 34, and it will be impelled through a discharge chute, such as that shown in the cited patent.

The paddles 33 and 34 are releasably secured to the base portion 16 by means of four screws 36. Thus the base portion 16 has a grommet 37 anchored thereon to present an opening 38 extending into the hollow interior of the base portion 16. The base portion 16 also has a speed-nut 39 which receives the screw 36, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An opening 41 in the base portion 16 permits insertion and removal of the clip-type speed-nut 39 which exists for each of the four screws 36.

The impellers 33 and 34 are shaped to include two foot portions 42 and 43 and an upstanding intermediate portion 44, with all these portions being continuous and formed in essentially one continuous sheet of material, as shown in FIG. 2. The impellers 33 and 34 are therefore located to extend across the parting plane 14, and thereby reinforce the attachment between the two cylinder halves. Also, the intermediate por tion 44 includes the two radially extending walls 46 and 47, and these two walls therefore reinforce each other in presenting a sturdy intermediate portion 44. Still further, the shape of the impellers 33 and 34 is such that the intermediate portion 44 can actually deflect or bend under impact and other forces, and it will recover to a radially extending position, as shown. However, in the event the impeller is permanently deformed or broken, then it can be easily replaced by removal of the screws 36, and there is not need for replacing the remainder of the auger, nor is there any need for having access to the interior of the otherwise enclosed hollow base portion 16.

FIG. 4 shows an underneath view of one of the impellers, and it will be seen that there is a reinforcing rib 48 extending between the wall portions 46 and 47. Also, the impeller has circular holes 49 for receiving two of the screws 36, and it has two elongated holes 51 for receiving the other two screws 36. With this arrangement, the impellers 33 and 34 can be readily secured. to the base portion 16. Still further, the underneath surfaces of the foot portions 42 and 43 have pockets 52 which receive the respective speed-nuts 39 which extend slightly above the circumferential surface 53 of the base portion 16, and this permits the paddles 33 and 34 to be in snug contact with the base portion 16, as desired. The foot portions 42 and 43 therefore extend over the grommet opening 38 and the speed-nut access opening 41, so the entire base portion 16 is enclosed, and snow or like material cannot get into the interior thereof.

The auger base portion 16, the flights, and the paddles are made with a polyethylene plastic material, and such plastic material is preferably a material known as MARLEX 5012 having the characteristics of a tensile strength of 3,800 p.s.i. and a 40 percent elongation in 20 inches per minute (ASTM D 638 58T), an impact strength of l foot-pound per inch on a one-half by one-quarter bar at the notch (ASTM 256-56) and 55 hours cracking resistance with brittleness temperature of -l80. This permits the use of the lightweight plastic which renders the snow thrower auger easily maneuverable and easily driven. Also, the material is sufficiently durable so that relatively thin material can be used, and the desired strength is nevertheless present in the material, such as seen by the thin wall fonning the paddles 33 and 34, compared to the radial extent or height of the intermediate paddle portion 44. Therefore, the replaceable paddles 33 and 34 cost only a few cents, and they can be readily replaced, and when they are damaged,

- there is no damage to the remainder of the auger which therefore need not be repaired or replaced.

What is claimed is:

1. A snow thrower auger, comprising a cylindrical base portion, spiraled flights extending on said base portion for moving snow axially along said base portion to discharge location on said base portion, a paddle extending radially outwardly on said base portion at said discharge location for engaging the snow and impelling it away from said auger, said paddle being a discrete piece distinct from and removably secured relative to the remainder of said auger and being replaceable in said auger separate from said remainder of said auger, releasable fastening means connecting said paddle with said base portion, said cylindrical base portion having a continuous and closed cylindrical surface defining a hollow interior, end pieces on the opposite ends of said cylindrical base portion for covering said ends, said base portion having an opening extending through said surface for insertion of said fastening means into said hollow interior, and said paddle including a foot portion extending along said surface and completely over said opening for covering said opening.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said auger, including said paddle, is a polyethylene plastic, and said paddle is flexible in the plane of rotation of said auger for deflecting under impact with a solid object.

3. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said base portion has two openings spaced apart on said surface in the circumferential direction of said surface, and said paddle has two foot portions with each respectively extending over said two openings.

4. The subject matter of claim 3, wherein said paddle includes a double-walled upstanding portion intermediate said two foot portions and extending radially outwardly on said base portion, said paddle being one continuous piece extending continuously through one of said foot portions and through said double-walled portion and through the other of said foot portions.

5. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein two of said flights extend from opposite ends of said base portion to a spacedapart relationship at the middle of the length of said base portion, said paddle being located in the space between said two flights and being of a length to substantially span said space.

6. A snow thrower auger, comprising a cylindrical base portion, spiraled flights extending on said base portion for moving snowv axially along said base portion to discharge location on said base portion, a paddle extending radially outwardly on said base portion at said discharge location for engaging the snow and impelling it away from said auger, said paddle being a discrete piece distinct from and removably secured relative to the remainder of said auger and being replaceable in said auger separate from said remainder of said auger, releasable fastening means connecting said paddle with said base portion, said cylindrical base portion being two semicircular halves disposed together on a plane extending longitudinally of said cylindrical base portion to form one cylinder, said paddle being disposed on said plane and having an intermediate portion extending along said plane and having two foot portions on opposite sides of said intermediate portion and in contact with respective ones of said halves, and said fastening means being on both of said two foot portions.

7. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said auger, including said paddle, is a polyethylene plastic, and said paddle is flexible in the plane of rotation of said auger for deflecting under impact with a solid object.

8. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said paddle includes a double-walled upstanding portion intermediate said two foot portions and extending radially outwardly on said base portion, said paddle being one continuous piece extending continuously through one of said foot portions and through said double-walled portion and through the other of said foot portions.

9. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein two of said flights extend from opposite ends of said base portion to a spacedapart relationship at the middle of the length of said base portion, the opposite ends of said two flights are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of said cylindrical base portion and adjacent said plane, said paddle being located in the space between said two flights and being of a length to substantially span said space.

10. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said cylindrical base portion has a continuous and closed cylindrical surface defining a hollow interior, end pieces on the opposite ends of said cylindrical base portion for covering said ends, said base portion having an opening extending through said surface for insertion of said fastening means into said hollow interior, ano said paddle foot portions extending along said surface and completely over said opening for covering said opening.

11. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said base portion has two openings spaced apart on said surface in the circumferential direction of said surface, and said paddle foot portions each respectively extend over said two openings. 

1. A snow thrower auger, comprising a cylindrical base portion, spiraled flights extending on said base portion for moving snow axially along said base portion to discharge location on said base portion, a paddle extending radially outwardly on said base portion at said discharge location for engaging the snow and impelling it away from said auger, said paddle being a discrete piece distinct from and removably secured relative to the remainder of said auger and being replaceable in said auger separate from said remainder of said auger, releasable fastening means connecting said paddle with said base portion, said cylindrical base portion having a continuous and closed cylindrical surface defining a hollow interior, end pieces on the opposite ends of said cylindrical base portion for covering said ends, said base portion having an opening extending through said surface for insertion of said fastening means into said hollow interior, and said paddle including a foot portion extending along said surface and completely over said opening for covering said opening.
 2. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said auger, including said paddle, is a polyethylene plastic, and said paddle is flexible in the plane of rotation of said auger for deflecting under impact with a solid object.
 3. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said base portion has two openings spaced apart on said surface in the circumferential direction of said surface, and said paddle has two foot portions with each respectively extending over said two openings.
 4. The subject matter of claim 3, wherein said paddle includes a double-walLed upstanding portion intermediate said two foot portions and extending radially outwardly on said base portion, said paddle being one continuous piece extending continuously through one of said foot portions and through said double-walled portion and through the other of said foot portions.
 5. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein two of said flights extend from opposite ends of said base portion to a spaced-apart relationship at the middle of the length of said base portion, said paddle being located in the space between said two flights and being of a length to substantially span said space.
 6. A snow thrower auger, comprising a cylindrical base portion, spiraled flights extending on said base portion for moving snow axially along said base portion to discharge location on said base portion, a paddle extending radially outwardly on said base portion at said discharge location for engaging the snow and impelling it away from said auger, said paddle being a discrete piece distinct from and removably secured relative to the remainder of said auger and being replaceable in said auger separate from said remainder of said auger, releasable fastening means connecting said paddle with said base portion, said cylindrical base portion being two semicircular halves disposed together on a plane extending longitudinally of said cylindrical base portion to form one cylinder, said paddle being disposed on said plane and having an intermediate portion extending along said plane and having two foot portions on opposite sides of said intermediate portion and in contact with respective ones of said halves, and said fastening means being on both of said two foot portions.
 7. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said auger, including said paddle, is a polyethylene plastic, and said paddle is flexible in the plane of rotation of said auger for deflecting under impact with a solid object.
 8. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said paddle includes a double-walled upstanding portion intermediate said two foot portions and extending radially outwardly on said base portion, said paddle being one continuous piece extending continuously through one of said foot portions and through said double-walled portion and through the other of said foot portions.
 9. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein two of said flights extend from opposite ends of said base portion to a spaced-apart relationship at the middle of the length of said base portion, the opposite ends of said two flights are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of said cylindrical base portion and adjacent said plane, said paddle being located in the space between said two flights and being of a length to substantially span said space.
 10. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said cylindrical base portion has a continuous and closed cylindrical surface defining a hollow interior, end pieces on the opposite ends of said cylindrical base portion for covering said ends, said base portion having an opening extending through said surface for insertion of said fastening means into said hollow interior, and said paddle foot portions extending along said surface and completely over said opening for covering said opening.
 11. The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said base portion has two openings spaced apart on said surface in the circumferential direction of said surface, and said paddle foot portions each respectively extend over said two openings. 